Lacing configuration for a brace

ABSTRACT

A lacing system for an article may include a tensioning mechanism, a plurality of guide members, and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed along a lace path of the article via the plurality of guide members. The lace is routed along the lace path so that a first portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and so that a second portion of the lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a position that is adjacent a bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of the lace, via the tensioning mechanism, causes the top end of the lace path and the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path to be initially tensioned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/017,698, filed Jun. 25, 2018, entitled “Lace Configurations forFootwear,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/144,498, filed May 2, 2016, entitled “Lace Configurations forFootwear,” which claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 62/242,145, filed Oct. 15, 2015, entitled “Lace Configurations forFootwear,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Footwear and other articles that are closed and/or tightened ofteninclude a lace, cord, or other tension member. The lace is typicallypositioned on the footwear or article so that it spans an opening thatmay be narrowed to close and/or tighten the footwear or article. Oncethe lace is tensioned to close and/or tighten the footwear or article,the tension member may be secured to prevent loosening or opening of thefootwear or article. The lace is typically positioned along asymmetrical path about the opening of the footwear or article.

Shoes are common examples of footwear that employ such lace.Specifically, many shoes include shoe lace that is positioned along atongue or opening portion of the shoe so that the opposing ends of theshoelace are adjacent the shoe's throat or collar and so that theshoelace is symmetrically laced along the length of the tongue oropening. A middle portion of the shoelace is often disposed at a distalend of the tongue or opening, commonly near the toe box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments here provide lacing systems for footwear and articles.The lacing systems have unique lace paths that may be employed tominimize negative effects associated with shifting of the lace and/or toprovide a more uniform and even closure of the footwear or article.According to one embodiment, a lacing system for tightening footwear isprovided. The footwear includes opposing sides and a lace path extendingbetween the opposing sides. The lace path includes a bottom end that ispositioned near a toe box of the footwear, a top end that is positionedopposite the bottom end, and a mid-portion that is roughly equidistantfrom the top end and the bottom end. The lacing system includes atensioning mechanism and a plurality of guide members that are coupledwith the footwear. The lacing system also includes a lace that isoperationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routedabout the footwear along the lace path via the plurality of guidemembers. The lace includes a first portion and a second portion that areeach operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism so thatoperation of the tensioning mechanism simultaneously tensions both thefirst portion and the second portion. The lace is routed along the lacepath so that the first portion is routed directly from the tensioningmechanism to the top end of the lace path and is routed therefrom towardthe mid-portion of the lace path, and so that the second portion isrouted directly from the tensioning mechanism to adjacent themid-portion of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward the bottomend of the lace path. Tensioning of the first portion and the secondportion of the lace immediately tensions the top end and the mid-portionof the lace path and thereby immediately tightens corresponding portionsof the footwear. In each of the embodiments, the lace may be a unitarymember with the first portion connected to the second portion betweenthe mid-portion and the bottom end of the lace path.

In some embodiments, the lacing system may also include a stop memberthat limits movement of the first portion and/or the second portion oflace about the lace path. According to one embodiment, the tensioningmechanism may be coupled with the footwear in one of followinglocations: centrally on a tongue portion of the footwear, on a side ofthe footwear adjacent an eyestay, or adjacent a sole of the footwear.The first portion and/or the second portion of lace may be routeddirectly from the tensioning mechanism to the respective positions viatubing. The lace may be routed from the tensioning mechanism and arounda heel of the footwear to the top end of the lace path. The tensioningmechanism may be a rotary based device that is manually operable or amotorized device.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of guide members includes atleast one guide with an elongated channel. In said embodiment, theplurality of guide members may also include a second guide having alongitudinal length that is shorter than the guide with the elongatedchannel. The guide with the elongated channel may be positionedlaterally outward from the second guide in respect to the lace path sothat opposing ends of the second guide are disposed between opposingends of the guide with the elongated channel.

According to another embodiment, a lacing system for tightening anarticle is provided. The article includes a lace path having a bottomend and a top end. The lacing system includes a tensioning mechanism anda plurality of guide members that are coupled with the article along thelace path. The lacing system also includes a lace that is operationallycoupled with the tensioning mechanism and routed along the lace path viathe plurality of guide members. The lace includes a first portion and asecond portion that are each operationally coupled with the tensioningmechanism so that operation of the tensioning mechanism simultaneouslytensions both the first portion and the second portion. The lace isrouted along the lace path so that the first portion is routed directlyfrom the tensioning mechanism to the top end of the lace path and isrouted therefrom toward the bottom end of the lace path, and so that thesecond portion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to aposition adjacent the bottom end of the lace path. Tensioning of thefirst portion and the second portion of the lace via the tensioningmechanism immediately tensions the top end and the position adjacent thebottom end of the lace path.

In some embodiments, the position adjacent the bottom end of the lacepath is a position that is equidistant from the top end and the bottomend. In such embodiments, the second portion of the lace is routed fromthe position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path toward the bottomend of the lace path. In other embodiments, the position adjacent thebottom end of the lace path is at the bottom end of the lace path. Insuch embodiments, the second portion of the lace is routed from thebottom end of the lace path toward the top end of the lace path suchthat tensioning of the first portion and the second portion of the lacevia the tensioning mechanism immediately tensions the top end and thebottom end of the lace path. The lace may be a unitary member with thefirst and second portions connected, or the first and second portionsmay be separate portions that each terminate on the article and/or onthe tensioning mechanism.

According to another embodiment, a lacing system for tightening anarticle is provided. The article has a lace path with a bottom end and atop end and the lacing system includes a tensioning mechanism and a lacethat is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism. The lace isrouted along the lace path. The lace includes a first portion and asecond portion that are each operationally coupled with the tensioningmechanism so that operation of the tensioning mechanism simultaneouslytensions both the first portion and the second portion. The lacingsystem also includes a first guide member that is attached to thearticle. The first guide member includes a lumen or channel that isaligned longitudinally along the lace path and that is configured toroute the first portion of the lace along the lace path. The lacingsystem further includes a second guide member that is attached to thearticle. The second guide member includes a lumen or channel that isaligned longitudinally along the lace path and that is configured toroute the second portion of the lace along the lace path. A length ofthe lumen or channel of the second guide member may be longer than alength of the lumen or channel of the first guide member and the secondguide member may be positioned along the lace path, and in respect tothe first guide member, so that opposing ends of the lumen or channel ofthe first guide member are disposed between opposing ends of the lumenor channel of the second guide member. In this manner, the secondportion of lace that is routed through the lumen or channel of thesecond guide member bypasses (i.e., is routed past) the first portion ofthe lace that is routed through the lumen or channel of the first guidemember.

In some embodiments, the second guide member is positioned latterlyoutward or offset from the first guide member with respect to the lacepath. The second guide member and/or the first guide member may be atubing component. In some instances, the second portion of lace may bepositioned through the lumen or channel of the first guide member sothat the first portion of lace and second portion of lace are eachpositioned through the first guide member.

According to another embodiment, a method of coupling a lacing systemwith an article is provided. The method includes coupling a tensioningmechanism with the article and coupling a plurality of guide memberswith the article so as to define a lace path having a bottom end and atop end. The method also includes coupling a first portion and a secondportion of a lace with the tensioning mechanism so that operation of thetensioning mechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portion andthe second portion of the lace. The method further includes routing thelace along the lace path via the plurality of guide members so that thefirst portion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to thetop end of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward the bottom endof the lace path, and so that the second portion is routed directly fromthe tensioning mechanism to a position adjacent the bottom end of thelace path. This lace path is effective such that tensioning of the firstportion and the second portion of the lace via the tensioning mechanismimmediately tensions the top end and the position adjacent the bottomend of the lace path.

In some embodiments, the article is a shoe and the first portion or thesecond portion of lace are routed around a heel or collar of the shoe.In embodiments wherein the article is a shoe, the tensioning mechanismmay be positioned on the heel of the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a lace path of a shoe that limitsdynamic lace shifiting of the lace and/or provides a more uniformtightening.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate other embodiments of a lace path of a shoe thatlimits dynamic lace shifiting of the lace and/or provides a more uniformtightening.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a lace path, wherein the lacepath is defined via straps that function as guides for the lace.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate other embodiments of a lace path of a shoe thatlimits dynamic lace shifiting of the lace and/or provides a more uniformtightening.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the lacing configurations described herein appliedto a boot or high-top shoe.

FIGS. 9A-10 illustrate a guide that includes a stop component thatfurther minimizes or prevents shifting of the lace.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a guide that includes a component that preventsshifting of the lace and allows differential tension to be applied tothe upper and lower zones.

FIGS. 14A-B illustrate a lacing configuration applied to a boot thatincludes an additional component that may be used to increase the lacetension in one or more tensioning zones.

FIG. 15A illustrates a lacing system that includes a tensioningmechanism having a lumen through which a lace may be inserted.

FIGS. 15B-C illustrate embodiments of attachment mechanisms that may beused to attach or couple opposing ends of a lace.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a shoe having a lace path thatmay limit dynamic lace shifiting and/or provides a more uniformtightening of the shoe.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a high-top shoe or boot.

FIGS. 18-23 illustrate embodiments of lace paths of a shoe wherein aportion of the lace is routed immediately to a distal end of the lacepath.

FIGS. 24-26B illustrate embodiments of medical devices that includenon-symmetrical lace paths.

FIGS. 27-30 illustrate embodiments of alternative lace pathconfigurations for a shoe or boot.

FIG. 31 illustrates an embodiment in which one portion of the lace isrouted around the shoe's heel or collar.

FIGS. 32-33 illustrate embodiments of shoes with the tensioningmechanism being positioned on the shoe's heel.

FIG. 34 illustrates an embodiment of a component that may be used toeliminate or minimize issues due to non-uniform lace ejection from thetensioning mechanism.

FIG. 35 illustrates a tensioning mechanism coupled with a side of theshoe between the tongue and heel.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame numerical reference label. Further, various components of the sametype may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letterthat distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If onlythe first numerical reference label is used in the specification, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components and/orfeatures having the same first numerical reference label irrespective ofthe letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of thedisclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

The embodiments described herein provide closure devices and lacingconfigurations that improve the fit of footwear about a user's foot.Specifically, the lacing configurations improve the closure of thefootwear about the foot and also improve the tightness or fit of thefootwear during usage. The lacing configurations may be especiallyuseful for lacing systems that employ lace and/or guide materials thatresult in relative low friction, which have a tendency to shift or moveas the footwear is worn. For example, the lace may easily slide withinguides that are positioned about the footwear due to reduced frictionbetween the lace and guides as compared to conventional lacing systems.The low friction may likewise result from small lace diameters (e.g.,0.8-1.2 mm and the like), and/or due to the use of lace materials haveincreased bend/flexability.

The dynamic shifting of the lace may be caused due to increased pressurewithin one or more regions of the shoe (e.g., near the heel or toe) inresponse to the shoe bending and flexing due to the user's movement. Forexample, at the user walks, runs, jumps, turns, etc., the user's footand/or leg may press against the upper portion of the shoe, which causesthe upper portion to bend and flex. Bending and flexing of the shoecauses an increases in tension in the lace positioned within or adjacentthe upper portion of the shoe, which pulls on the distal portions of thelace (e.g., near the toe) and causes the lace to slide or shift withinthe footwear's guides. The result is a widening or enlarging of theupper portion of the shoe and a contraction or restriction of the distalportion of the shoe (e.g., toe region) that is removed or remote fromthe upper shoe portion.

In some embodiments it may be desired to prevent dynamic shifting of thelace to prevent repeated widening/enlarging and constriction/contractionof portions of the footwear in order to increase the support that isoffered by the footwear and/or increase the comfort in wearing thefootwear. For example, repeated widening and constriction of portions ofthe footwear may irritate a user and/or otherwise be uncomfortable. Inother instances, widening of the footwear in response to user movements,such as widening of the upper tongue portion in response to running orjumping, may reduce the support provided by the footwear.

In other embodiments, the lacing configurations described herein mayincrease the uniformity with which the footwear is tightened and/orclosed about the foot. For example, the tension in the lace is typicallygreatest adjacent a mechanism that is used to tighten the lace and istypically reduced the farther the lace extends or travels from thetightening mechanism due to frictional losses and/or other tensionlosses. As such, the portions or areas of the footwear that are adjacentthe tightening mechanism are often tightened slightly more than theportions or areas of the footwear that are removed or remote from thetightening mechanism. As the user wears the footwear, the lace tensionmay equalize or become more uniform due to shifting of the lace aboutthe footwear and/or guides. This may result in the portions or areas ofthe footwear that are adjacent the tightening mechanism looseningslightly and the portions or areas of the footwear that are removed orremote from the tightening mechanism tightening slightly. Because ofthis loosening/tightening of areas of the footwear, the user may berequired to readjust the lace tension in the footwear (i.e., tighten orloosen the lace) in order to achieve a initial and desired fit or feelof the footwear about the foot.

The embodiments described herein provide a more uniform tighteningand/or closure of the footwear about the foot. In addition to the abovedescribed benefits, additional benefits of the lacing configurationsdescribed herein include: components or configurations that limit and/orprevent dynamic lace shifting, configurations that enable differentialtightness or pressure to be applied to different portions of thefootwear, and the like. Having described several aspects and features ofthe embodiments above, additional details of the embodiments will berealized with reference to the description of the several drawingsprovided herein.

Many of the embodiment described and illustrated herein are directed toa lacing system for tightening footwear is described herein. Thefootwear includes opposing sides and a lace path extending between theopposing sides. The lace path includes a bottom end that is positionednear a toe box of the footwear, a top end that is positioned oppositethe bottom end, and a mid-portion that is roughly equidistant from thetop end and the bottom end. The lacing system includes a tensioningmechanism and a plurality of guide members that are coupled with thefootwear. The lacing system also includes a lace that is operationallycoupled with the tensioning mechanism and that is routed about thefootwear along the lace path via the plurality of guide members. Thelace includes a first portion and a second portion that are eachoperationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that operation ofthe tensioning mechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portionand the second portion. The lace is routed along the lace path so thatthe first portion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism tothe top end of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward themid-portion of the lace path, and so that the second portion is routeddirectly from the tensioning mechanism to adjacent the mid-portion ofthe lace path and is routed therefrom toward the bottom end of the lacepath. Tensioning of the first portion and the second portion of the laceimmediately tensions the top end and the mid-portion of the lace pathand thereby immediately tightens corresponding portions of the footwear.In each of the embodiments, the lace may be a unitary member with thefirst portion connected to the second portion between the mid-portionand the bottom end of the lace path.

It should be realized that the embodiments are not limited to footwearapplications. Rather, the lacing systems described herein may be usedfor tightening virtually any article that includes a lace path having abottom end and a top end. For example, the lacing system may include atensioning mechanism and a plurality of guide members that are coupledwith the article along the lace path. The lacing system may also includea lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism androuted along the lace path via the plurality of guide members. The lacemay include a first portion and a second portion that are eachoperationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that operation ofthe tensioning mechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portionand the second portion. The lace may be routed along the lace path sothat the first portion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanismto the top end of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward thebottom end of the lace path and so that the second portion is routeddirectly from the tensioning mechanism to a position adjacent the bottomend of the lace path. Tensioning of the first portion and the secondportion of the lace via the tensioning mechanism may immediatelytensions the top end and the position adjacent the bottom end of thelace path.

The unique lace paths described herein may be achieved via one of moreguides that route the lace. For instance, according to one embodiment, alacing system for tightening an article may include a tensioningmechanism and a lace that is operationally coupled with the tensioningmechanism and that is routed along the lace path. The lace may include afirst portion and a second portion that are each operationally coupledwith the tensioning mechanism so that operation of the tensioningmechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portion and the secondportion. The lacing system may also include a first guide member that isattached to the article. The first guide member may have a lumen orchannel that is aligned longitudinally along the lace path and that isconfigured to route the first portion of the lace along the lace path.The lacing system may further include a second guide member that isattached to the article. The second guide member may have a lumen orchannel that is aligned longitudinally along the lace path and that isconfigured to route the second portion of the lace along the lace path.A length of the lumen or channel of the second guide member may belonger than a length of the lumen or channel of the first guide memberand the second guide member may be positioned along the lace path, andin respect to the first guide member, such that opposing ends of thelumen or channel of the first guide member are disposed between opposingends of the lumen or channel of the second guide member. In this manner,the second portion of lace that is routed through the lumen or channelof the second guide member bypasses (i.e., is routed past) the firstportion of the lace that is routed through the lumen or channel of thefirst guide member.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of a shoe 100 thatlimits dynamic lace shifiting and/or provides a more uniform tightening.This is achieved by positioning the lace so that it initially andsimultaneously tensions both an upper and mid or lower portion of theshoe 100. The shoe 100 includes a tightening mechanism 102, such as areel based device (hereinafter reel assembly 100). Reel assembly 100includes a knob (not numbered) that may be grasped and rotated by a userto tighten and/or loosen a lace 104. The reel assembly 100 may include aspool (not shown) having an interior channel or post about which thelace 104 is wound. Opposing ends of the lace 104 are coupled with thereel assembly's spool so that operation of the tightening mechanismsimultaneously tensions the opposing ends of the lace. Some conventionalsystems include a single lace end that is coupled with the reelassembly's spool so that operation of the tightening mechanism tensionsonly a single end of the lace. As shown in FIG. 15A, in some embodimentsthe lace 1506 may pass through a lumen 1504 of the spool 1502 so thatthe opposing lace ends are attached together and not directly attachedto the spool 1502. In such embodiments, the lace 1506 may be shifted(i.e., shown by the arrows) through or within the spool's lumen 1504,which could allow the length of the lace 1506 in an upper and/or lowerportion of the shoe 1500 to be adjusted, thereby enabling differentialtightening of the shoe 1500 as described herein below. The opposing endsof the lace 1506 may be coupled together along the lace path, or withinthe spool 1502, via an attachment mechanism 1508.

FIGS. 15B and 15C illustrate embodiments of attachment mechanisms 1508that may be used to attach or couple opposing ends of lace 1506. In FIG.15B, a first lace end 1516 may be coupled with one end 1510 of theattachment mechanism 1508 while a second lace end 1514 is coupled withanother end 1512 of the attachment mechanism 1508. The two ends, 1510and 1512, of the attachment mechanism 1508 may then be coupled togethervia threading 1520 or some other mechanism. In FIG. 15C, a first laceend 1532 may be inserted within one end of a ferrule 1536 and a secondlace end 1534 may be inserted within an opposite end of the ferrule1536. The ferrule 1536 may then be crimped together 1538 to lock thelace ends, 1532 and 1534, within the ferrule 1536.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the reel assembly 102 is positioned on theside of the shoe 100 and may be removed or remote from the shoe'seyetsay by a distance X. In other embodiments, the reel assembly 102 maybe directly adjacent or in contact with an edge of the eyestay. In yetother embodiments, the reel assembly 102 may be “remote” mounted withinthe outsole or midsole of the shoe 100. Although the reel assembly 102is illustrated as being positioned on the medial side of the shoe 100,in other embodiments the reel assembly 102 could be positioned on thelateral side of the shoe 100. Other tightening mechanism may includepull cords having a portion or component that may be grasped and pulledby a user. Still other components may be used to tighten the lace 104.Exemplary reel based closure devices are further described in U.S.application Ser. No. 14/297,047, filed Jun. 5, 2014, entitled“Integrated Closure Device Components and Methods”; exemplary pull cordbased devices are further described in U.S. application Ser. No.14/166,799, filed Jan. 28, 2014, entitled “Lace Fixation Assembly andSystem,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

The lace 104 is positioned about a tongue portion of the shoe 100 alonga lace path that traverses from an upper portion of the shoe 100 to alower portion of the shoe 100. The lace 104 is guided along the lacepath via a plurality of first guides 112 and second guides 110. Thefirst guides 112 include channels or lumens about which the lace 104slides. In some embodiments, the second guides 110 are tubing throughwhich the lace 104 is disposed. The lace 104 is positioned about thetongue portion of the shoe 100 so that the lace crossings are roughlyparallel to one another and roughly orthogonal of the shoe's eyestay.This configuration results a greater degree of lace tension being usedto pull the opposing eyestays of the shoe closed since the lace tensionis directed in the direction of closure of the tongue portion.

As described above, the lace 104 is able to dynamically shift relativeto the shoe 100 by sliding within the first and/or second guides, 112and 110. The lace 104 may have a small diameter that reduces frictionbetween the lace and guides. The guides and/or lace may also be made ofa relatively low friction material to reduce wear between thesecomponents.

The lace 104 is positioned about the tongue portion of the shoe so as toform a first or upper tightening zone Z₁ and a second or lowertightening zone Z₂. The first or upper tightening zone Z₁ is formed froman upper lace portion 106 that exits the reel assembly 102 via tubing110 and traverses multiple times, via guides 112, across an upperportion of the shoe 100 between the shoe's opposing eyestays. FIG. 1specifically illustrates the upper lace portion 106 traversing threetimes across the upper portion of the shoe 100, although the upper laceportion 106 may traverse more or fewer times as desired. After the upperlace portion 106 traverses across the upper portion of the shoe 100 thethird time (or any other number as desired), the upper lace portion 106is routed to a distal end of the shoe 100 via tubing 110. The second orlower tightening zone Z₂ is formed from a lower lace portion 108 thatexits the reel assembly 102 via tubing 110 and traverses multiple times,via guides 112, across a lower portion of the shoe 100 between theshoe's opposing eyestays. As with the upper zone Z₁, FIG. 1 illustratesthe lower lace portion 108 traversing three times across the lowerportion of the shoe 100. The lower lace portion 108 converges with theupper lace portion 106 at the distal end of the shoe 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper lace portion 106 traverses along theupper portion of the shoe's lace path immediately after exiting thetightening mechanism 102 while the lower lace portion 108 traversesabout midway or lower along the shoe's lace path immediately afterexiting the tightening mechanism 104. This lacing configuration isdifferent than conventional lacing systems where both portions of thelace immediately exiting a tightening mechanism traverse across andtighten the upper portion of the shoe first. The lace configuration ofFIG. 1 (i.e., one lace portion that traverse along the upper portion ofthe shoe and one lace portion that traverse along roughly the middle orlower portion of the shoe) reduces dynamic shifting of the lace andenables a relatively uniform closure and/or tightening of the shoe abouta user's foot. This effect is achieved, in part, because the laceimmediately exiting the tightening mechanism 102 (i.e., the portion oflace having the greatest tension) is immediately routed to or along boththe upper portion and along roughly the middle or lower portion of theshoe. Since the lace tension is greatest in both the upper and middleportions of the shoe 100 and since the upper lace zone Z₁ and lower lacezone Z₂ each include three lace crossings, the tension in each lacezone, Z₁ and Z₂, and/or the frictional loss experienced in the upper andlower zones is roughly uniform, which results in a more uniformtensioning or tightening of the upper and lower zones, Z₁ and Z₂. Inconventional systems, since both portions of the lace immediatelyexiting the tightening mechanism traverse and tighten the upper portionof the shoe, the frictional lace tension loss experienced at the distalend of the shoe is increased, which may result in a non-uniformtightening of the upper and lower portions of the shoe, such astightening of the upper portion first and subsequent tightening of thelower portion.

The lacing configuration of FIG. 1 also reduces dynamic shifting of thelace due to the lace tension being greatest along both the upper portionand along roughly the middle or lower portion of the shoe. For example,as the user's foot shifts within the shoe 100 and pushes against upperand/or lower portions of the shoe 100, the positioning of the upper laceportion 106 and lower lace portions 108 counteracts and limits adramatic increase in lace tension in the upper and lower zones, Z₁ andZ₂, which limits dynamic shifting of the lace. Because dynamic shiftingof the lace is reduced, the fit of the shoe 100 about the user's foot isstabilized.

One of the effects of the lace configuration of FIG. 1 is that thelowest tensioned portion of the lace is positioned on the side of theshoe 100 rather than at the distal end of the shoe (e.g., the toeportion of the shoe). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, lace portion 114is the portion of lace 104 that experiences the lowest lace tension dueto frictional losses from the guides 112. Lace portion 114 is positionedon the lateral side of the shoe between, and at a distal end of, theupper zone Z₁ and lower zone Z₂. In conventional systems, the lace thatcorresponds to lace portion 114 is typically positioned roughlyorthogonal to the shoe's eyestay at a distal of the lace path, such asadjacent or near the shoe's toe box. Since lace portion 114 ispositioned on the side of the shoe 100 rather than at the distal end ofthe lace path (e.g., near the toe box), the tension in the upper andlower zones, Z₁ and Z₂, is relatively more uniform. In some embodiments,a pull tab (See FIGS. 22B, 30, and 34) may be coupled with lace 106 and108 adjacent the tubing 110. The pull tab may be grasped and pulled by auser to facilitate in pulling the lace 104 from the reel assembly 102.The pull tab may aid in more uniform removal of the lace 104 from thespool and reel assembly 102.

Another aspect of the non-symmetrical lace configurations describedherein is that the shoe or article includes at least one lace guide thatis positioned laterally offset or outward of another lace guide and thatincludes a longitudinal path that is greater than the other lace guide.For example, FIG. 1 illustrates lace portion 114 (i.e., the guide thatdirects the lace) positioned laterally outward of a first guide 112 b.In some embodiments, the first guides of the shoe 100 (i.e., thecombination of first guides 112 and 112 b) may define a lateraltensioning zone T_(z), or a zone in which a tension force is exerted topull an opening (e.g., a tongue portion) of the shoe 100 closed. Thelace portion 114 may be positioned laterally outward of the tensioningzone T_(z) so as to avoid interfering with tensioning of the shoe 100.

FIG. 1 also illustrates that a longitudinal length L₁ of the laceportion 114 is greater than a longitudinal length L₂ of the first guide112 b such that opposing ends of the first guide 112 b are disposedwithin or between the opposing ends of the lace portion 114. Asillustrated in various embodiments herein, the longitudinal length ofthe lace guide that corresponds to lace portion 114 may be greater thanmultiple guides (i.e., 2 or more guides) depending on how far the laceis routed along the side of the lace path. In addition, in the otherillustrated embodiments, the lace guide corresponding to lace portion114 may be made of a pair of webbing guides, or any other type of guidethat is configured to route the lace. The lace that is routed throughthe lace portion 114 may be substantially parallel to the lace that isrouted through the first guide 112 b.

FIG. 2 illustrates a shoe 200 having a lacing system configuration thatis similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. The main difference betweenFIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that the tightening mechanism 202 of FIG. 2 ispositioned on the shoe's tongue rather than on the side of the shoe.Positioning the tightening mechanism 202 on the shoe's tongue may resultin a more uniform ejection of the lace from the tightening mechanism'sinterior. For example, referring briefly to FIG. 1, when the tighteningmechanism is positioned on the side of the shoe, opening the shoe'stongue can result in a greater length of the upper lace portion (i.e.,106) being ejected or pulled from the tightening mechanism than thelower lace portion (i.e., 108). A greater length of the upper laceportion is ejected due to the tongue being coupled with the shoe in ahinge type fashion and due to the tongue being opened in a pivot likemanner, which results in greater opening of the upper portion than thelower portion. Since the upper and lower lace portions, 106 and 108, areboth connected to the tightening mechanisms' spool, an equal length ofthe upper and lower lace portions is unwound from the spool and anynon-ejected length of the lower lace portion remains disposed within theinterior of the tightening mechanism. The non-ejected length of thelower lace portion may tangle or bind within the tightening mechanism'sinterior, or cause other minor lace tensioning issues. The configurationof FIG. 2 reduces lace ejection issues since the upper lace portion 206and lower lace portion 208 are ejected in a more uniform manner.

As with the lacing configuration of FIG. 1, the upper lace portion 206initially tensions and/or tighten the upper portion of the shoe 200while the lower lace portion 208 initially tensions a mid or lowerportion of the shoe 200. The lower lace portion 208 is immediatelyrouted to the mid or lower portion of the shoe 200 via tubing 204 or anyother type of guide.

FIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, except that the upperlace portion 306 and/or lower lace portion 308 are guided about the shoe300 via webbing guides 302 rather than plastic guides. The webbingguides 302 are typically constructed from a fabric or softer materialthan the plastic guides, which are typically constructed of more rigidmaterials that may create pressure points. After traversing the upperportion of the shoe 300 one or more times, the upper lace portion 306 isguided to the distal end of the shoe 300 via webbing guides 310, whichfunction cooperatively in guiding the lace. Similarly, the lower laceportion 308 is immediately guided to the mid or lower portion of theshoe 300 via webbing guides 312 that function cooperatively in guidingthe lace. An intermediate guide 314 that is positioned between thewebbing guides 310 and/or 312 may function as lace tender or guide thatlimits contact between the lace and the shoe 300. As illustrated in FIG.3, the webbing guides may function in pairs or in isolation to guide thelace about the lace path. When webbing guides are used in isolation, thewebbing guides may be configured to conform as the lace is tensionedwithin the webbing guide. For example, opposing ends of the webbingguide may curve or deflect outward under tension. In addition, any orall of the guides illustrated in the embodiments may be visible on ornear the eyestay edge of the shoe, or may be hidden under the eyestayedge.

FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, except that webbingstraps 402 are used to guide the upper lace portion 406 and lower laceportion 408 rather than or in addition to the webbing guides. Thewebbing straps 402 are typically constructed from fabric or otherrelatively soft materials. A pair of webbing straps 410 maycooperatively route the upper lace portion 406 from the upper zone tothe distal end of the shoe 400 while a pair of webbing straps 412cooperatively route the lower lace portion 408 from the tighteningmechanism to the mid or lower portion of the shoe 400. In someembodiments, a first end 414 of one or more webbing straps 402 may beattached to the shoe 400 at or near the shoe's eyestay while a secondend 416 of the one or more webbing straps 402 is attached to the shoe400 at or near an interface between the shoe's upper and the sole. Theresult may be that tension in the lace is transferred to the webbingstrap 402, which pulls the shoe's opposing eyestay toward one anotherwhile simultaneously pulling the shoe's upper inward and against theuser's foot. Additional details of attaching lacing guides near both theshoe's eyestay and sole are provided in U.S. application Ser. No.14/877,755, filed Oct. 7, 2015, entitled “Devices, Methods, and Systemsfor Remote Control of a Motorized Closure System”, the entire disclosureof which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 5 is similar to the other embodiments described above, except thatthe shoe 500 includes a plurality of relatively rigid guides to guidethe upper and lower lace portions about the shoe. Specifically, the shoe500 includes an elongate guide 502 having an elongated mid portion toroute the upper lace portion between the upper zone and distal end ofthe shoe 500 and/or to route the lower lace portion immediately from thetightening mechanism to the mid or lower portion of the shoe 500. Theshoe 500 also includes a first and/or second relatively short guide 504and/or 506 that route the respective lace portion in the upper and/orlower zones. In some embodiments, the elongate guide 502 and/orfirst/second short guides (504 and/or 506) may have an open channel orback portion that allows the lace to be placed within the guide and/orremoved therefrom as desired.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, except that the elongate guides 502 arereplaced with guide posts 602 around and about which the lace ispositioned. The guide posts 602 include a pair of posts that functioncooperatively to route the upper lace portion between the upper zone andthe distal end of the shoe 600 and/or to route the lower lace portionfrom the tightening mechanism to the mid or lower portion of the shoe600. The shoe 600 may also include one or more shorter guides 604 thatroute the lace within the upper and/or lower zones. It should berealized that a shoe may include any combination of the guidesillustrated in FIGS. 3-6 as desired.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the lacing configuration described above asapplied to a boot, such as a snowboard boot (FIG. 7) or work boot (FIG.8). The boots include a tightening mechanism 702 that is operable totension an upper lace portion 706 and a lower lace portion 708. Theupper lace portion 706 affects tensioning in an upper zone Z₁ while thelower lace portion 708 affects tensioning in a lower zone Z₂ aspreviously described. A first elongate guide 710 (e.g., tubing) ispositioned about the boot to route the upper lace portion 706 betweenthe upper zone Z₁ and the distal end of the boot or lace path. A secondelongate guide 712 is configured to route the lower lace portion 708immediately from the tightening mechanism 702 to the mid or lowerportion of the boot or lace path. A plurality of additional guides 707are positioned about the boot to guide the upper and lower lace portionsin the upper and lower zones, Z₁ and Z₂. The guides 707 may haverelatively elongate or short configurations as desired. In someembodiments, all or some of the guides (i.e., 707, 710, and 712) aredisposed under an outer layer of the boot and/or between layers of theboot, so that the guides are hidden from view. The lacing configurationsof FIGS. 7 and 8 result in the portion of lace 714 having the lowestlace tension being positioned on the medial or lateral side of the boot.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 illustrate a guide that includes a stop componentthat further minimizes or prevents shifting of the lace. Specifically,an elongate guide 802 that is used to route the upper lace portion 806from the upper zone to the distal end of the shoe 800 includes amid-section 805 where the lace is exposed. A stop component 810 iscoupled with the lace in the mid-section 805 of guide 802. The stopcomponent 810 minimizes or prevents shifting of the lace by contactingopposing inner edges (e.g., edge 812) of the mid-section 805 of guide802 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Minimizing or preventing shifting of thelace stabilizes the fit of the shoe 900 about a user's foot. In someembodiments, the guide 802 may include an inner guide portion 814 thatguides the lace within the lower zone. The elongate guide 804 thatroutes the lower lace portion from the tightening mechanism to the midor lower portion of the shoe 800 may similarly include a stop componentand/or inner guide portion as well if desired.

FIG. 9A illustrates the tensioning mechanism positioned centrally on theshoe's tongue while FIG. 9B illustrates the tensioning mechanismpositioned on the shoe's eyestay. In some instances it may be preferredto position the tensioning mechanism on the eyestay rather than on thetongue to minimize shifting of the tongue about the shoe. For example,in some instances, when the tensioning mechanism is positioned on thetongue, engagement of the stop component 810 with an inner edge 812 ofthe guide's mid-section 805 may cause the tensioning mechanism to pullthe shoe's tongue toward one side of the shoe thereby causing the tongueto shift within the shoe. Positioning of the tensioning mechanism on theeyestay eliminates or minimizes shifting of the shoe's tongue since thetensioning mechanism is not directly coupled with the tongue.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a guide that includes a component that preventsshifting of the lace and allows differential tension to be applied tothe upper and lower zones. Specifically, an elongate guide 1002 that isused to route the upper lace portion 1008 from the upper zone to thedistal end of the shoe 1000 includes a differential tensioning mechanism1004. The tensioning mechanism 1004 includes a tensioning component 1006that is positionable within one of a plurality of tensioning positionsof guide 1002 (i.e., illustrated positions a, b, and c). In someembodiments, the tensioning component 1006 is a cylindrical or sphericalmember that may be moved and positioned within a cylindrical orspherical aperture. The tensioning component 1006 may be moved betweenpositions a, b, and c by pushing the tensioning component 1006 downwardor pulling the tensioning component 1006 upward and out of a cylindricalor spherical aperture and repositioning the tensioning component 1006 ina desired cylindrical or spherical aperture as illustrated in FIG. 12(e.g., within aperture a, b, or c).

Contact between the tensioning component 1006 and a respectivecylindrical or spherical aperture prevents shifting of the lace relativeto the guide 1002 and shoe 1000. Positioning the tensioning component1006 in a respective cylindrical or spherical aperture also lengths orshortens the lace in the upper and lower by some degree, which resultsin differential tensioning or tightening of the upper and lower zonesupon operation of the tightening mechanism. For example, positioning thetensioning component 1006 in position “a” may shorten the length of lacein the upper zone in comparison with the lower zone and thereby effectincreased tightening of the upper zone. In contrast, positioning thetensioning component 1006 in position “c” may shorten the length of lacein the lower zone in comparison with the upper zone and thereby effectincreased tightening of the lower zone. Further, positioning thetensioning component 1006 in position “b” may roughly equalize thelength of lace in the upper and lower zones thereby effecting roughlyuniform tightening of the upper and lower zones. In this manner, a usermay effect differential tightening of the shoe's upper and lower zonesas desired. The elongate guide 1002 and tensioning mechanism 1004 may bepositioned near a distal end of the shoe (i.e., near the shoe's toeregion) as shown in FIG. 11 and/or may be positioned near a proximal endof the shoe (i.e., near the shoe's tongue or collar) as shown in FIG.13. Although positioning the tensioning component 1006 in one of therespective positions is described as increasing or decreasing the lengthin the respective zones, it should be realized that repositioning of thetensioning component 1006 in the respective zones effectively results ina different tension within the respective zones due to shifting of thelace. Operation of the tensioning mechanism results in furtherdifferential tensioning of the respective zones.

FIGS. 14A-B illustrate a lacing configuration described above applied toa boot 1400 (see FIG. 7). Specifically, as described herein above, theboot 1400 includes a tightening mechanism, an upper tightening zone Z₁,a lower tightening zone Z₂, a plurality of elongate guides that routeslace between the upper and lower zones, and a plurality of additionalguides positioned within the upper and lower zones. The upper zone Z₁and/or lower zone Z₂ of the boot 1400 further includes an additionalguide 1404 that is releasably couplable with a guide component 1402 toincrease or decrease tightness in the upper zone Z₁ and/or lower zone Z₂as desired. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the guide component 1402may be uncoupled from the additional guide 1404 to achieve a nominal orbase tightness in the upper and/or lower zones, Z₁ and Z₂. If additionaltightness is desired in the upper and/or lower zones, the guidecomponent 1402 may be pulled laterally across the opening of the boot1400 (or across the lace path of the boot 1400) and coupled with thecorresponding additional guide 1404 as shown in FIG. 14B. Coupling ofthe guide component 1402 with the additional guide 1404 as shown in FIG.14B results in additional lace crossings in the upper and/or lowerzones, which increases the tightness in the corresponding zone and/ortension in the lace. Accordingly, the tightness in the upper and/orlower zones may be controlled and/or varied as desired.

Referring now to FIG. 16 illustrated is another embodiment of a shoe1600 having a lace path that may limit dynamic lace shifiting and/orprovides a more uniform tightening of the shoe 1600. The shoe 1600includes a tightening mechanism 1602 that may be grasped and rotated bya user to tighten and/or loosen a lace 1604. Some conventional systemsinclude a single lace end that is coupled with the reel assembly's spoolso that operation of the tightening mechanism tensions only a single endof the lace. The reel assembly 1602 is positioned on the side of theshoe 1600 adjacent the shoe's eyetsay.

The lace 1604 is positioned so as to traverse along a lace path acrossthe tongue portion of the shoe 1600 between a top or proximal portion orend 1612 of the lace path (i.e., near the shoe's tongue or collar) and abottom or distal portion or end 1614 of the lace path (i.e., near theshoe's toe box). The lace 1604 is guided along the lace path via aplurality of guides 1610 that may function independently or as a pair(i.e., guides 1610 a & 1610 b) as shown to guide the lace 1604 along thelace path. The lace 1604 is positioned about the tongue portion of theshoe 1600 so that the lace crossings are roughly parallel and roughlyorthogonal of the shoe's eyestay. This configuration results a greaterdegree of lace tension being used to pull the opposing eyestays of theshoe closed.

An upper or first lace portion 1606 exits the reel assembly 1602 andimmediately traverses across the shoe's tongue before being routed, viaa pair of guides, to a mid-portion of the shoe, which may equidistantbetween the proximal end 1612 and distal end 1614, or may be positionedcloser to the distal end 1614. The first lace portion 1606 thentraverses the shoe's tongue one or more times (illustrated traversingtwice) before joining a second lace portion 1608. As illustrated, thesecond lace portion 1608 exits the reel assembly 1602 and immediatelytraverses across the shoe's tongue below the first lace portion 1606before being routed, via a pair of guides 1610 a & 1610 b, to the bottomend 1614 of the lace path. The second lace portion 1608 then traversesacross the shoe's tongue at the bottom end 1614 of the lace path beforejoining with the first lace portion 1606.

The result of the lace configuration illustrated in FIG. 16 is acascading lace tension across the shoe's tongue. For example, since thefirst and second lace portions, 1606 and 1608, immediately traverseacross the proximal end 1612 of the lace path, the result is a primarytensioning T₁ of the proximal end of the lace path and shoe 1600. Thefirst and second lace portions, 1606 and 1608, then are routed to andtraverse the mid-portion of the lace path, which result in a secondarytensioning T₂ of the mid-portion of the lace path and shoe 1600. Thefirst and second lace portions, 1606 and 1608, then are routed to andtraverse the bottom end 1614 of the lace path, which results in tertiarytensioning T₃ of the bottom end of the lace path and shoe 1600.

Given that frictional engagement of the lace 1604 and guides 1610 willresult in some loss of tension in the lace 1604, the secondary tensionT₂ is likely slightly less than the primary tension T₁ and the tertiarytension T₃ is likely slightly less than the secondary tension T₂.Similarly, the primary tension zone (i.e., the zone associated withtension T₁) will tension before the secondary tension zone (i.e., thezone associated with tension T₂) and the secondary tension zone willtension before the tertiary tension zone (i.e., the zone associated withtension T₃). The result is a cascading tensioning and tightness of theshoe 1600 along the lace path between the proximal end 1612 and thedistal end 1614. Although FIG. 16 illustrates the shoe 1600 having threezones that tension in a cascading manner, it should be realized thatmore or fewer zones that tension the shoe 1600 in a cascading manner maybe created along the lace path.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a high-top shoe or boot 1700. Afirst lace portion 1706 is routed from a tensioning mechanism 1702 to amid-point of a lace path of the shoe 1700. A second lace portion 1708 isrouted from the tensioning mechanism 1702 to an upper portion of thelace path. The first and second lace portions, 1706 and 1708, thentraverse downward along the lace path from the respective positions andconnect on a side of the shoe 1700. The lace portions, 1706 and 1708,are guided along the lace path via one or more webbing guides 1712and/or component guides 1710 that may be made of a more rigid typematerial, such as plastic. The component guides 1710 and/or webbingguide pairs 1712 may include an elongated portion that routes the lacealong a substantial portion of the shoe 1700.

The lace path of shoe 1700 results in an initial tensioning T₁ of thetop and mid-portion of the lace path. A secondary tensioning T₂ occursin a lace crossing immediately below the top and mid-portion of the lacepath, and a tertiary tensioning T₃ occurs at the bottom portion of thelace path.

FIGS. 18-23 illustrate embodiments wherein a portion of the lace isrouted immediately to a distal end of the lace path. For example, FIG.18 illustrates a shoe wherein a first lace portion 1806 is immediatelyrouted from the tensioning mechanism 1802 to a proximal end of the lacepath. The first lace portion 1806 then traverses, via a plurality oflace guides, across an opening of the shoe (e.g., tongue portion) towardthe distal end of the lace path. A second lace portion 1808 isimmediately routed from the tensioning mechanism 1808 to the distal endof the lace path. The second lace portion 1808 then traverses, via theplurality of lace guides, across the opening of the shoe toward theproximal end of the lace path. The two lace portions converge in themid-portion of the lace path to form a single unitary lace path asshown.

The effect of the lace configuration illustrated in FIG. 18 is that aprimary tensioning T₁ occurs at the proximal and distal ends of the lacepath and a secondary tensioning T₂ occurs immediately adjacent andinward of the proximal and distal ends. A tertiary tensioning T₃ occursat the mid-point of the lace path where the first and second laceportions, 1806 and 1808, converge. The lace path may include more orfewer lace crossing as desired, which may result in quaternary, quinary,etc., tensioning along the lace path.

FIG. 18 illustrates that the second lace portion 1808 is routed to thedistal end of the lace path via a pair of webbing guides, 1810 a and1810 b, that together form or define an elongated guide. As describedherein, the elongated guide that is formed by the webbing guides, 1810 aand 1810 b, is laterally offset from or outward of the inner guides 1812that route the lace along the lace path. The elongated guide formed bythe webbing guides, 1810 a and 1810 b, is also laterally offset oroutward from a tensioning zone T_(z) that is defined by the inner guides1812 and that corresponds to a lateral width or portion of the shoe thatis pulled together via tensioning of the lace. The elongated guideformed by the webbing guides, 1810 a and 1810 b, may be latterly offsetfrom the tensioning zone T_(z) by an amount X, which may be 1/32 of aninch or greater, and more commonly about ¼ or ½ inch.

A length L₁ of the elongated guide, or more appropriately a length ofthe second lace portion 1808 that traverses or is routed along theelongated guide, is greater than the length of at least one inner laceguide 1812. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L₁ of theelongated guide is greater than a combination of multiple inner laceguides 1812—i.e., a length L₂ of a first inner lace guide pair and alength L₃ of a second inner lace guide pair. The elongated guide andinner guides are arranged so that the multiple inner lace guides 1812are disposed within or between the opposing ends of the elongated laceguide. In some instances, the second lace portion 1808 that traverses oris routed via the elongated guide is also disposed through a portion ofone or more inner guides 1812 as shown.

FIGS. 19-23 illustrate similar embodiments to FIG. 18 and thus, thedisclosure of FIG. 18 is equally applicable to FIGS. 19-23. FIG. 19illustrates a similar embodiment with the tensioning mechanism 1902positioned on a side of the shoe near the eyestay or tightening edge ofthe shoe's tongue. A first lace portion 1908 extends from the tighteningmechanism and across an opening of the shoe at the proximal end of thelace path. The first lace portion 1908 is then routed to the distal endof the lace path and is routed therefrom toward the proximal end via aplurality of guides. A second lace portion 1906 also extends from thetightening mechanism and across the shoe's opening at the proximal endof the lace path. The second lace portion 1906 is routed from theproximal end toward the distal end of the lace path via the lace guides.

The tensioning of the lace path is similar to that of FIG. 18, exceptthat the initial crossing of the first lace portion 1908 at the proximalend of the lace path results in a primary tensioning T₁ of the proximalend of the lace path. The secondary and tertiary tensioning, T₂ and T₃,of the lace path is then relatively evenly mirrored longitudinally alongthe lace path as shown. The lace configuration of FIG. 19 may bebeneficial where a tighter fit of the shoe near the shoe's collar isdesired, but where it is also desired to maintain a relatively hightension of the shoe near the toe-box and/or a relatively even tensioningof the shoe along the lace path.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 18, except that thelace is routed about a high-top shoe, boot, or other elongated footwear.A first lace portion 2006 is routed from the tightening mechanism 2002to the distal end of the lace path and routed therefrom toward theproximal end of the lace path via a plurality of lace guides. A secondlace portion 2008 is routed from the tightening mechanism to theproximal end of the lace path and routed therefrom toward the distal endof the lace path. The resulting primary, secondary, and tertiarytensioning of the lace path (i.e., T₁, T₂, T₃) is mirroredlongitudinally along the lace path as described in FIG. 18.

The lace portions, 2006 & 2008, are routed along the upper portion ofthe shoe and to the lace path via elongated guides 2010 that areconfigured so that the lace traverse along the shoe roughly parallel tothe eyestay or tightening edge of the shoe's opening (i.e., the shoe'stongue). Because the lace traverses along the shoe in this manner, thelace tension does not effect closure or tightening of the shoe andfrictional loss is minimized. To prevent longitudinal buckling orcollapse of the upper portion of the shoe, the elongated guides 2010 maybe made of relatively rigid or stiff materials.

The shoe will experience some closure or tightening where the first laceportion 2006 and second lace portion 2008 cross one another. However,tightening at this location will be less than that experienced withinthe lower lace path since the lace traverses the opening diagonallyrather than orthogonal to the opening.

FIGS. 21A-B illustrate a boot or high-top shoe that includes a pair oftensioning systems. Specifically, the boot includes a first tensioningsystem 2120 that is positioned on an upper portion of the boot and thatis arranged and coupled with the boot so that operation of a tensioningmechanism 2122 effects closure and/or tightening of the upper portion ofthe boot. The tensioning mechanism 2122 is operationally coupled with atension member 2124 that is routed about the upper portion of the bootvia a plurality of guides. The tension member 2124 may be routed aboutthe upper portion to form a symmetrical lace path along the upperportion of the boot as shown. Operation of the tensioning mechanism 2122tensions the tension member 2124, which closes and tightens the upperportion of the boot.

The boot also includes a second tensioning system 2100 that is operableto close and tighten a lower portion of the boot. Specifically, thesecond tensioning system 2100 includes a tensioning mechanism 2102 thatis operationally coupled with a first lace portion 2106 and a secondlace portion 2108. The first lace portion 2106 is routed from thetensioning mechanism 2102 via tubing to a proximal end of a lace pathabout the lower portion of the boot. The first lace portion 2106 extendsacross an opening of the lower portion of the boot and is routedtherefrom, via tubing, to a distal end of the lace path. The second laceportion 2108 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2102 via tubing toa mid-portion of the lace path. The second lace portion 2108 is routedacross the mid-portion of the lace path twice, via tubing or laceguides, before connecting with the first lace portion 2106. The effectof the lace configuration of FIGS. 21A-B is that a primary tensioning T₁occurs in the proximal end of the lower portion's lace path and asecondary tensioning T₂ occurs in the distal end of the lower portion'slace path.

In some instances, the second lace portion 2108 may be routed from thetensioning mechanism 2102 to the distal end of the lace path so that theprimary tensioning T₁ occurs at both the proximal and distal ends of thelace path. In some embodiments the tensioning systems, 2100 and 2120,may be reversed in relation to the boot so that the upper portion of theboot includes a non-symmetrical lace path as illustrated and the lowerportion of the boot includes a symmetrical lace path. In otherembodiments, both the upper and lower portions of the boot may includenon-symmetrical lace paths as illustrated. In addition, the tensioningmechanism 2102 may be mounted on the boot remotely from the lower lacepath as illustrated, or may be mounted on the boot so as to be adjacentthe lower lace path as desired.

FIG. 22A illustrates an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 18 exceptthat the shoe includes fewer lace crossings across the shoe's openingand the elongated lace guide is positioned on an opposite side of theshoe's opening. Specifically, the first lace portion 2206 is immediatelyrouted from the tensioning mechanism to the distal end of the lace pathand traverses across the distal end a single time before joining thesecond lace portion 2208, which is routed from the tensioning mechanism2202 to the proximal end of the lace path. The lace configuration ofFIG. 22A results in a primary tensioning T₁ of the proximal and distalend of the lace path and a secondary tensioning T₂ of the mid-portion ofthe lace path.

FIG. 22B illustrates an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 19 exceptthat the shoe includes fewer lace crossings across the shoe's opening.Specifically, the first lace portion 2226 is routed initially across theproximal end of the lace path and then immediately to the distal endwhile the second lace portion 2228 is routed across the shoe's openingbetween the proximal and distal ends. The result is a primary tensioningT₁ of the proximal portion of the lace path and a secondary tensioningT₂ of the distal portion of the lace path. FIG. 22B also illustrates theshoe including a component 2224 that is attached to the first laceportion 2226 and second lace portion 2228 near the tensioning mechanismand that may be used to eliminate or minimize issue due to non-uniformlace ejection from the tensioning mechanism as described herein.

FIG. 23 illustrates a boot configuration with fewer lace crossings. Afirst lace portion 2306 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2302 tothe distal end of the lace path and a second lace portion 2308 is routedfrom the tensioning mechanism 2302 to the proximal end of the lace path.The result is a primary tensioning T₁ of the proximal end distal ends ofthe lace path and a secondary tensioning T₂ of the mid-portion of thelace path.

FIGS. 24-26B illustrate various medical devices that includenon-symmetrical lace paths similar to those described herein. FIG. 24illustrates a brace 2400 that is configured to fit and tighten about auser's wrist. The brace 2400 has an opening 2420 that may be opened orclosed to allow the user to don and doff the brace 2400. A lace ispositioned and routed along a lace path about the opening 2420 via guidemembers, which may include solitary guides 2412, or pairs of guidemembers, 2410 a & 2410 b, or a combination thereof as illustrated. Theguide members may be made of flexible or rigid materials, such aswebbing, straps, plastic materials, and the like.

A tensioning mechanism 2402 is attached to the brace 2400 andoperationally coupled with a first portion of the lace 2406 and a secondportion of the lace 2408. The first lace portion 2406 is routedlongitudinally along the brace 2400 from the tensioning mechanism 2402to a mid-point or portion of the lace path. The first lace portion 2406is routed from the mid-point toward a distal end of the lace path. Thesecond lace portion 2408 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2402laterally across the opening 2420 at the proximal end of the lace path.The second lace portion 2408 is routed therefrom toward the mid-point ofthe lace path. The first and second lace portions, 2406 and 2408,intersect or converge between the mid-point and distal end of the lacepath where the lace is routed via a lace guide having an elongated lacepath as described herein.

The lace configuration of FIG. 24 results in a primary tensioning T₁ ofthe proximal end and mid-portion of the lace path. A secondarytensioning T₂ is induced in a lace crossing distally of the proximal endand the mid-portion, and a tertiary tensioning T₃ is induced in thedistal end and adjacent the mid-portion of the lace path as illustrated.It should be recognized that the lace path of the brace 2400 may bearranged so that the first lace portion 2406 is routed immediately tothe distal end as described in various embodiments herein, in which theprimary tensioning T₁ would be induced in the proximal and distal endsand the secondary and tertiary tensioning being induced inward of theproximal and distal ends as described and illustrated herein.

FIG. 25 illustrates a back brace 2500 that may be fit about a user'swaist and tensioned to support and/or provide a therapeutic effect. Theback brace 2500 includes opposing ends, 2520 and 2522, that may bepositioned around the user's waist and coupled together. Coupling theopposing ends, 2520 and 2522, together provides a gross closure of theback brace 2500 about the user's waist. The back brace 2500 alsoincludes an opening or closure zone 2524 having opposing sides that maybe pulled together or apart to adjust the tightness of the back brace2500 about the user's waist. A lace is routed along a path about theopening 2524 of the back brace 2500. A tensioning mechanism 2502 isattached to the back brace 2500 and operationally coupled with a firstportion 2506 of the lace and a second portion 2508 of the lace.Operation of the tensioning mechanism 2502 tensions or loosens the firstand second portions of the lace, 2506 & 2508, to effect tightening orloosening of the back brace 2500 about the user's waist.

As illustrated, the first lace portion 2506 is routed via tubing 2503from the tensioning mechanism 2502 to a proximal end of the lace path.The first lace portion 2506 is routed from the proximal end toward amid-portion of the lace path via one or more guide 2512. The second laceportion 2508 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2508 to themid-portion of the lace path and then to the distal end of the lace pathvia one or more guides 2512. The first lace portion 2506 and second laceportion 2508 intersect at or within an elongated guide 2510 that ispositioned on an opposite side of the opening from the tensioningmechanism 2502.

As described herein, the elongated guide 2510 has a length that islonger than one or more of the guides 2512. The elongated guide 2510 isalso positioned laterally outward from the one or more guides 2512. Theelongated guide 2510 and the one or more guides 2512 are arranged sothat opposing ends of the one or more guides 2512 are disposed betweenthe opposing ends of the elongated guide 2510 as illustrated.

The lace configuration of back brace 2500 results in a primarytensioning T₁ of the proximal end and mid-portion of the back brace2500. A secondary tensioning T₂ is induced in a lace crossingimmediately distal to the proximal end and mid-portion and a tertiarytensioning T₃ is induced proximally of the mid-portion and at the distalend of the back brace 2500. Any of the other lace path configurationsdescribed and illustrated herein may be employed on back brace 2500 toachieve a different and desired tensioning.

FIGS. 26A-B illustrate an ankle brace 2600 that may be fit about auser's ankle and tensioned to support and/or provide a therapeuticbenefit. The ankle brace 2600 includes an inner channel or space 2620within which a user's can insert their foot. The ankle brace 2600 alsoincludes an opening or closure zone 2624 having opposing sides that maybe moved together or apart to tighten or loosen the ankle brace 2600about a user's foot. The ankle brace 2600 further includes straps 2630that may be wrapped atop the brace to initially close and tighten theankle brace 2600 about the user's foot. The straps 2630 may include acoupling member 2632 that may be used to hold and/or maintain the straps2630 in a closed configuration.

A lace is routed along a path between opposing sides of the opening orclosure zone 2624. A tensioning mechanism 2602 is attached to the anklebrace 2600 and operationally coupled with a first portion 2606 of thelace and a second portion 2608 of the lace as described herein. Thefirst lace portion 2606 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2602 toa proximal end of the lace path. The second lace portion 2608 is routedfrom the tensioning mechanism 2602 to a distal end of the lace path. Thefirst and second lace portions, 2606 and 2608, intersect or conjoin at amid-portion of the lace path. The lace configuration of the ankle brace2600 results in a primary tensioning T₁ of the proximal and distal endsof the lace path and a secondary tensioning T₂ of the mid-portion of thelace path as illustrated. The tensioning mechanism 2602 may be operatedafter the ankle brace 2600 is fit about the ankle to adjust a fit and/ortension of the ankle brace 2600 about the user's ankle and foot.

FIGS. 27-30 illustrate other embodiments of alternative lace pathconfigurations. FIG. 27 illustrate a boot or high-top shoe 2700 thatincludes a tensioning mechanism 2702 and lace as previously described. Adifference from the previously described embodiments is that both afirst portion of the lace 2706 and a second portion of the lace 2708 arerouted parallel to an opening or closure zone of the boot 2700 via anelongate guide. Specifically, the first lace portion 2706 is routed fromthe from the tensioning mechanism 2702 to a proximal end of the lacepath where the first lace portion 2706 traverses twice across theopening. The first lace portion 2706 is then routed immediately to amid-portion of the lace path via an elongate guide 2712 where the firstlace portion 2706 traverses the opening again. The second lace portion2708 is routed from the tensioning mechanism 2702 through an elongateguide to proximate the mid-portion where the second lace portion 2708traverses twice across the opening. The second lace portion 2708 is thenrouted to the distal end of the lace path before traversing the openingagain. The first and second lace portions, 2706 and 2708, meet near thedistal end of the lace path.

As illustrated, the lace path of FIG. 27 results in the boot 2700 havingelongated guides on opposite sides of the opening or closure zone. Theresulting tension is a primary tension T₁ of both the first and secondlace portions, 2706 and 2708, near the proximal end of the lace path, asecondary tension T₂ of both laces near the top end and mid-portion ofthe lace path, and a tertiary tension T₃ of the mid-portion and distalend of the lace path. A quaternary tension T₄ also occurs near thedistal end of the lace path where the first and second lace portionsmeet.

FIG. 28 illustrates a first lace portion 2806 that is routed from thetensioning mechanism 2802 and across the opening of the shoe at theproximal end of the lace path. The first lace portion 2806 is thenrouted to the distal end of the lace path and across the opening. Asecond lace portion 2808 is routed from the tensioning mechanism to theproximal end of the lace path where the second lace portion traversesthe opening several times as it is routed toward the distal end of thelace path. The lace configuration results in a primary tensioning T₁ ofthe proximal end of the lace path and a relatively even tensioning ofthe lace path therefrom longitudinally along lace path as illustrated.FIG. 29 illustrates a similar lace configuration as FIG. 28 of the firstand second lace portions, 2906 and 2908, except that the tensioningmechanism 2902 is positioned on a side of the shoe.

FIG. 30 illustrates an embodiment in which the tensioning mechanism 3002is positioned on a side of the shoe with the first lace portion 3006being routed to the proximal end of the lace path and traversingdistally along the lace path toward the lace path's distal end. Thesecond lace portion 3008 is routed around the shoe's heel, or collar,via tubing 3010. The second lace portion 3008 is routed to the distalend of the lace path and traverse proximally therefrom toward the lacepath's proximal end. The result of the lace configuration of FIG. 30 isa primary tensioning T₁ of the proximal and distal end of the lace path,a secondary tensioning T₂ immediately inward of the proximal and distalends, and a tertiary tensioning T₃ of the mid-portion of the lace path.

In some embodiments, the tubing 3010 may include a recess, window, oropen portion 3012 that allows the tubing sections at that portion tomove relative to one another. For example, the tubing 3010 may includeseparate tubing sections that are not connected at the open portion3012, or with one tubing section slidably disposed in another tubingsection. In this manner, as the second lace portion 3008 is tensioned,the separate tubing sections may move relative to one another andthereby constrict or compress about the shoe's collar or heel.

In some embodiments, a pair of pull tabs, 3005 a and 3005 b, may becoupled with the first lace portion 3006 and the second lace portion3008, respectively. The pair of pull tabs, 3005 a and 3005 b, may bepulled simultaneously to cause a more uniform ejection of the lace fromthe tensioning mechanism. In this manner, the pair of pull tabs, 3005 aand 3005 b, may function similar to the component 3410 illustrated inFIG. 34.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment in which one portion of the laceis routed around the shoe's heel or collar. Specifically, the secondlace portion 3108 is routed from the tensioning mechanism via tubing3110 around the shoe's heel. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 30, thesecond lace portion 3108 is routed to the proximal end of the lace pathwhile the first lace portion 3106 is routed from the tensioningmechanism to the distal end of the lace path. The tensioning of theembodiment of FIG. 31 will be similar to that of FIG. 30 except that aslight increase in tensioning at the proximal end of the lace path maybe achieved due crossing of the first and second lace portions, 3106 and3108, at the proximal end.

FIG. 32 illustrates the tensioning mechanism 3202 being positioned onthe shoe's heel. The first lace portion 3206 is routed, via tubing 3210,from the tensioning mechanism 3202 to the proximal end of the lace pathwhile the second lace portion 3208 is routed, via tubing 3212, from thetensioning mechanism 3202 to the mid-portion of the lace path. The laceconfiguration of FIG. 32 results in a primary tensioning T₁ of theproximal end and mid-portion of the lace path and a secondary tensioningT₂ along a lace crossing immediately distally of said portions. Atertiary tensioning T₃ occurs at the distal end of the lace path wherethe two lace portions meet or converge.

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment in which the tensioning mechanism3302 is positioned on the shoe's heel and in which the first laceportion 3306 is routed, via tubing 3310, from the tensioning mechanism3302 to the proximal end of the lace path. The second lace portion 3308is routed, via tubing 3312, from the tensioning mechanism 3302 to thedistal end of the lace path. The lace configuration of FIG. 33 resultsin a primary tensioning T₁ of the proximal and distal ends of the lacepath, a secondary tensioning T₂ inward of the proximal and distal endsof the lace path, and a tertiary tensioning T₃ of the mid-portion of thelace path where the two lace portions meet or converge.

FIG. 34 illustrates an embodiment of a component 3410 that may be usedto eliminate or minimize issues due to non-uniform lace ejection fromthe tensioning mechanism 3402. As previously described, opening of theshoe's tongue can result in a greater length of a first lace portion3406 being ejected from the tensioning mechanism 3402 than a second laceportion 3408 due to the first lace portion 3406 being disposed acrossthe tongue and the tongue being opened in a pivot like manner. Asdescribed, any non-ejected lace of the second lace portion 3408 remainsdisposed within the interior of the tightening mechanism and may tangleor bind within the tightening mechanism's interior, or cause other minorlace tensioning issues.

The component 3410 relieves these issues since it is directly attachedto the first and second lace portions, 3406 and 3408, and may be pulledto evenly eject both portions of the lace from the tensioningmechanism's interior. Pulling the component 3410 causes both laceportions, 3406 and 3408, to be ejected evenly from the tensioningmechanism 3402, which ensures that none of the lace remains within theinterior to cause binding, tangling or other issues.

FIG. 35 illustrates the tensioning mechanism 3502 being coupled with aside of the shoe between the tongue and heel. A first lace portion 3506is routed from the tensioning mechanism 3502 to the proximal end of thelace path while a second lace portion 3508 is routed from the tensioningmechanism rearward toward the heel. The second lace portion 3508 ispositioned within a guide 3510, which may be a rear strap, and is routedtherefrom along the shoe's sole toward a mid-portion of the lace path.The first and/or second lace portions, 3506 and 3508, may be routedalong the shoe via tubing 3512, webbing guides 3514, or other guides. Insome instances, the tubing 3512 may be formed by coupling adjacentlayers of the upper together to form a path, lumen, or channel. Theadjacent layers of the upper may be coupled via adhesive bonding,stitching, heat welding, RF welding, or any other coupling technique.

A method of coupling a lacing system with an article or footwear isprovided below. The method includes coupling a tensioning mechanism withthe article and coupling a plurality of guide members with the articleso as to define a lace path having a bottom end and a top end. A firstportion of lace and a second portion of lace are coupled with thetensioning mechanism so that operation of the tensioning mechanismsimultaneously tensions both the first portion and the second portion ofthe lace. The lace is routed along the lace path via the plurality ofguide members so that the first portion is routed directly from thetensioning mechanism to the top end of the lace path and is routedtherefrom toward the bottom end of the lace path, and so that the secondportion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to a positionadjacent the bottom end of the lace path such that tensioning of thefirst portion and the second portion of the lace via the tensioningmechanism immediately tensions the top end and the position adjacent thebottom end of the lace path. As illustrated in the various embodimentsherein, the lace may be a single unitary component with the first andsecond lace portions converging at some point along the lace path, suchon the side of the lace path.

In some embodiments, the position that is adjacent the bottom end of thelace path is a position that is equidistant from the top end and thebottom end of the lace path. In such embodiments, the second portion ofthe lace is routed from the position adjacent the bottom end of the lacepath toward the bottom end of the lace path. In other embodiments, thesecond portion of lace is routed directly from the tensioning mechanismto the bottom end of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward thetop end of the lace path such that tensioning of the first portion andthe second portion of the lace via the tensioning mechanism immediatelytensions the top end and the bottom end of the lace path. In someembodiments, the first lace portion or second lace portion is routedaround a heel or collar of the shoe. In some embodiments, the tensioningmechanism is positioned on the heel of the shoe.

Although the embodiments described herein have been illustratedemploying manual reel based devices, it should be realized that variousother tensioning mechanisms or devices may be used. For example, a pullcord device and/or motorized device may be employed to tension the laceas desired. In a specific embodiment, a motorized lace tensioning devicemay be concealed within or adjacent the sole of the shoe and the lacemay be routed to the motorized lace tensioning device under one or morelayers of the upper.

While several embodiments and arrangements of various components aredescribed herein, it should be understood that the various componentsand/or combination of components described in the various embodimentsmay be modified, rearranged, changed, adjusted, and the like. Forexample, the arrangement of components in any of the describedembodiments may be adjusted or rearranged and/or the various describedcomponents may be employed in any of the embodiments in which they arenot currently described or employed. As such, it should be realized thatthe various embodiments are not limited to the specific arrangementand/or component structures described herein.

In addition, it is to be understood that any workable combination of thefeatures and elements disclosed herein is also considered to bedisclosed. Additionally, any time a feature is not discussed with regardin an embodiment in this disclosure, a person of skill in the art ishereby put on notice that some embodiments of the invention mayimplicitly and specifically exclude such features, thereby providingsupport for negative claim limitations.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elementshave not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Accordingly, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed.The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently beincluded or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neitheror both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassedwithin the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in thestated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are alsoincluded.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes aplurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includesreference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to thoseskilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and“includes” when used in this specification and in the following claimsare intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers,components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, orgroups.

1. (canceled)
 2. A lacing system for tightening a brace, the bracehaving an opening that enables a user to don and doff the brace, thebrace also having a lace path that extends along the opening, the lacepath having a bottom end, a top end, and a mid-portion, the lacingsystem comprising: a tensioning mechanism; a plurality of guide membersthat are coupled with the brace; and a lace that is operationallycoupled with the tensioning mechanism and routed about the opening alongthe lace path via the plurality of guide members, the lace comprising afirst portion and a second portion that are each operationally coupledwith the tensioning mechanism so that operation of the tensioningmechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portion and the secondportion, wherein the lace is routed along the lace path such that: thefirst portion is routed directly from the tensioning mechanism to thetop end of the lace path and is routed therefrom toward the mid-portionof the lace path; and the second portion is routed directly from thetensioning mechanism to adjacent the mid-portion of the lace path and isrouted therefrom toward the bottom end of the lace path such thattensioning of the first portion and the second portion of the laceimmediately tensions the top end and the mid-portion of the lace pathand thereby immediately tightens corresponding portions of the brace;wherein the lace is a unitary member with the first portion connected tothe second portion between the mid-portion and the bottom end of thelace path.
 3. The lacing system of claim 2, wherein when under tension,the lace does not cross itself or touch another portion of the lacealong an entire length of the lace path.
 4. The lacing system of claim2, wherein the brace include a first main body and a second main bodythat is separate from the first main body, wherein the first main bodyand the second main body are configured to wrap around a body member andare coupleable together to provide a gross closure of the brace aboutthe body member.
 5. The lacing system of claim 4, wherein the tensioningmechanism is attached to the first main body.
 6. The lacing system ofclaim 2, wherein the first portion and/or the second portion are routeddirectly from the tensioning mechanism to the respective positions viatubing.
 7. The lacing system of claim 2, wherein the tensioningmechanism comprises a rotary based device that is manually operable or amotorized device.
 8. The lacing system of claim 2, wherein the pluralityof guide members includes at least one guide with an elongated channel.9. The lacing system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of guide membersfurther includes a second guide having a longitudinal length that isshorter than the guide with the elongated channel, and wherein the guidewith the elongated channel is positioned laterally outward from thesecond guide in respect to the lace path so that opposing ends of thesecond guide are disposed between opposing ends of the guide with theelongated channel.
 10. The lacing system of claim 2, wherein the braceis a wrist brace.
 11. A lacing system for tightening a brace comprising:a tensioning mechanism; a plurality of guide members that are coupledwith the brace along a lace path about an opening of the brace, theplurality of guide members including: a first guide member that isattached to a first side of the opening; a second guide member that isattached to the first side of the opening; and a lace that isoperationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism and routed along thelace path via the plurality of guide members, the lace comprising afirst portion and a second portion, wherein the lace is routed along thelace path such that: the first portion is routed directly from thetensioning mechanism to a top end of the lace path and is routedtherefrom toward a bottom end of the lace path, wherein the firstportion is routed toward the bottom end of the lace path via the firstguide member; and the second portion is routed directly from thetensioning mechanism to a position adjacent the bottom end of the lacepath such that tensioning of the first portion and the second portion ofthe lace via the tensioning mechanism immediately tensions the top endand the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace path, wherein thesecond portion is routed from the tensioning mechanism to the positionadjacent the bottom end of the lace path via the second guide member,the second portion being routed parallel to the first portion on thefirst side of the brace and the second portion being routed so that thesecond portion does not frictionally engage with the first guide member.12. The lacing system of claim 11, wherein the position adjacent thebottom end of the lace path is a position that is equidistant from thetop end and the bottom end, and wherein the second portion of the laceis routed from the position adjacent the bottom end of the lace pathtoward the bottom end of the lace path; or wherein the position adjacentthe bottom end of the lace path is at the bottom end of the lace path,and wherein the second portion of the lace is routed from the bottom endof the lace path toward the top end of the lace path such thattensioning of the first portion and the second portion of the lace viathe tensioning mechanism immediately tensions the top end and the bottomend of the lace path.
 13. The lacing system of claim 11, wherein thefirst portion of lace and the second portion of lace are eachoperationally coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that operation ofthe tensioning mechanism simultaneously tensions both the first portionand the second portion.
 14. The lacing system of claim 11, wherein theplurality of guide members includes at least one guide with an elongatedchannel or an wide gap between opposing ends of the at least one guide.15. The lacing system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of guidemembers further includes a second guide having a longitudinal length, orgap between opposing ends, that is shorter than the guide with theelongated channel or wide gap, and wherein the guide with the elongatedchannel or wide gap is positioned laterally outward from the secondguide in respect to the lace path so that opposing ends of the secondguide are disposed between the opposing ends of the guide with theelongated channel.
 16. The lacing system of claim 14, wherein the braceis a wrist brace.
 17. A lacing system for tightening a brace comprising:a tensioning mechanism; a lace that is operationally coupled with thetensioning mechanism and routed along a lace path about an opening ofthe brace, the lace comprising a first portion and a second portion; afirst guide member that is attached to the brace, the first guide memberhaving a channel that is aligned longitudinally along the lace path andthat is configured to route the first portion of the lace along the lacepath; and a second guide member that is attached to the brace, thesecond guide member having a channel that is aligned longitudinallyalong the lace path and that is configured to route the second portionof the lace along the lace path, wherein: a length of the channel of thesecond guide member is longer than a length of the channel of the firstguide member; and the second guide member is positioned along the lacepath and in respect to the first guide member such that opposing ends ofthe channel of the first guide member are disposed between opposing endsof the channel of the second guide member.
 18. The lacing system ofclaim 17, wherein the second guide member is positioned latterly outwardor offset from the first guide member with respect to the lace path. 19.The lacing system of claim 17, wherein the second portion of lace ispositioned through the channel of the first guide member.
 20. The lacingsystem of claim 17, wherein the brace is a wrist brace.
 21. The lacingsystem of claim 17, wherein the brace is a back brace.